How to stay sun safe:

Using sunscreen seems simple enough but there is a proper way to apply.  These easy pointers will keep you protected under the sun.

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Layer it on

To get the best coverage possible, apply 2 coats.  Give the first layer 5 to 10 minutes to be absorbed and then repeat

Mind the Periphery

Take care not to skimp around your hairline. Many women do and that can cause sun spots and wrinkles as well as basil and squamous cell carcinomas, two common forms of Skin Cancer.

Reapply Regularly

There is no such thing as all-day protection.  After 2 hours, all sunscreen starts to degrade and needs to be reapplied. Refresh products marked as waterproof or water-resistant after swimming.  Both terms mean that you’re shielded in the water only, not after toweling off.

Your daily coffee fix may help you fend off skin cancer:

For each cup of caffeinated java that you drink every day, there's a 5 percent drop in your odds of developing non-melanoma skin cancer later in life, researchers recently reported. Down a couple of Starbucks' venti coffees at 20 ounces apiece, and you may score a 30 percent drop in risk (or more — researchers didn't ask study participants about more than six cups a day). "It's possible coffee's antioxidant effect helps to protect against skin cancer," says Ernest L. Abel, Ph.D., professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine. "But part of it may be that people who drink a lot of coffee tend to stay indoors more."

All doctors are not created equal:

When researchers from Emory University School of Medicine looked at the records of more than 2,000 melanoma patients, they found that those whose growths had been diagnosed by a dermatologist were more likely to have early-stage cancer — and to survive their disease — than those who'd been diagnosed by another kind of doctor. It may be that dermatologists are more skilled at finding smaller tumors — and less likely to brush them off as "nothing."

Questions You Should Ask Your Dermatologist:

How do I know if I'm aging well or not?

 

To determine how well you're aging is really about accessing how much sun damage you have. So if you are more of a sun worshiper, then you probably aren't aging as well as someone who avoids the sun. Aging skin woes like wrinkles and splotchy-ness are really just results of sun damage. However, things like Retinoids, Botox and fillers can counter signs of aging (if you're open to going that route).

Skin Care is Like Life

In some ways, skin care is like life. Just when you think you've crossed one hurdle (or zit and ingrown hair), another one comes along (like crow's-feet, for example).

 

Ingrown hairs: Ever had an angry red bump surface a day or two after shaving? It's probably an ingrown hair. An easy fix is to put a warm compress on the affected area. Let the heat therapy relax the hair, and it will work itself out.

How to Avoid Skin Cancer

Generously apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.

 

Can Stress Cause Acne?

If you hearken back to prom, exam time or even your wedding day, you might find that there's a common thread tying them together … you probably had a zit -- or three.

Why? Stress.

Recent studies have shown a direct link between stress levels and increases of acne.  Scientists now believe that during times of stress, our bodies release elevated levels of two hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil.  And, of course, that excess oil leads to clogged pores, blackheads and acne.

Additionally, stress slows down the healing process -- it can decrease the wound healing capacity of the immune system by up to 40 percent so that your breakouts will last longer than usual. 

What Your Skin Can Tell You About Your Health

Saggy Skin

 

Droopiness can signal dehydration and there's an easy way to check if you have a problem. Pinch your skin.  If it doesn’t bounce back quickly, you may not be getting enough water. Proper hydration naturally plumps skin cells to prevent sagging -- so not sipping enough water can cause drooping. Other signs of dehydration include dry mouth and lingering fatigue. To stop the droop, make sure you’re drinking enough water. For optimal health, experts suggest eight glasses a day.

What is a tan?

There is a misconception that controlled tanning without subsequent burn helps to build up protection in the skin.  However, a tan is a sign that the skin has been injured.  Skin produces melanin to darken the skin and protect underlying tissues and cells from further damage.  This damage accumulates over time, increasing the effects of aging, such as winkles and leathery skin, as well as increasing the risk for skin cancer.

Anti-Aging Tip

Aloe has played a significant medicinal role for thousands of years. Called "the plant of immortality" in Egypt, aloe was given as an offering at the funerals of pharaohs and was used in the baths of Egyptian queens.  The plant was also used for embalming.  In the first centuray AD, the Greek physician Dioscorides used aloe for sores and wounds.  It has many uses, including topical application for skin irritations.

Exercise Your Face!!

You go to the gym and buy work out equipment for the home to keep your body in shape, so why not also take the time to work out your face.  Facial muscles need as much exercise as much as the rest of your body. As facial skin and muscles lose elasticity and start sagging over time, regularly exercising your facial muscles ensures that they will stay firm, support the skin on your face against gravity and have good circulation so that you can decrease wrinkles and droopiness in old age.

Use Sunscreen!!

It is something that is key and should be used religiously. You need to make sure they are the called out ingredients in the active ingredient list or you're probably doing your skin more damage. People have a false sense of security with sunscreens. You need things that won't let UVA light get through or you will accumulate more UV damage. This explains why the rate of skin cancer and aging has continued and progressed even though we're wearing more sunscreen than before.

Too Much Salt & Alcohol?

Be careful with salt and alcohol volume. Salt collects in the skin and brings water, which in turn causes puffiness. Alcohol causes blood vessels to become leaky, so the water exits skin, causing puffiness in delicate spots, like the under eye area.

Is My Body Aging Faster Than My Face?

People look at anti-aging and limit it to the appearance of skin on the face, but in reality, the relationship with everything else [your internal health, stress level, etc.] is connected. Try to eat as much fruits and vegetables as possible. And wear sunscreen and exercise. It's not one thing - it's a lot of things that are the secrets to anti-aging.

 

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How to Keep Your Teeth White

Brush your teeth after you drink coffee, if you want to keep your teeth white. Whiter teeth enhance the appearance of your skin tone.

 

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Why is vitamin D3 the new E or A?

You can be in the sun all day and not make enough of it (vitamin D has been linked to bone health). Recommended is taking a supplement of 1,000 IUS a day but, if possible, get your Vitamin D level tested to find out where you and then take a supplement if necessary.

 

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How to Combat Crow's Feet

Crow's-feet: There's no way to avoid crow's-feet — unless you are willing to forgo smiling or laughing for the rest of your life. Since that's not an option for most of us, remember that hydration is the key or, for an inexpensive treatment that really works, try patting olive oil around your eyes at night.  

 

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How to Combat Spider Veins

Spider veins: Broken capillaries around the nose and chin can blossom into unsightly red lines as weather and stress take their toll. A temporary solution is using makeup specially designed to cover redness. For a more permanent fix, ask your dermatologist about laser treatment designed to handle these. It is fairly painless and take about 30 minutes.

 

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HOW TO COMBAT SKIN PROBLEMS – INGROWN HAIRS

Ever had an angry red bump surface a day or two after shaving? It's probably an ingrown hair. An easy fix is to put a warm compress on the affected area. Let the heat therapy relax the hair, and it will work itself out.

THE RIGHT WAY TO FIX DEHYDRATED SKIN

The layers of the skin are like soil in a garden: if all the different layers of soil are hydrated with water & nurtured with food & sun, flowers grow properly. But, if the foundation is not nourished properly & dehydration sets in, all the layers are affected.  In the skin, surface dryness is more of a subcondition.  It just affects the outermost layer of skin and its usually the byproduct of using the wrong products, especially cleansers.  Stay hydrated.  Dehydration can cause one to feel ill and stresses the body’s organs.  Sodas, alcohol and beverages with caffeine cause our bodies to lose more fluids than we take in.  Lack of water is the number one cause of daytime fatigue.  Even mild dehydration can slow the metabolism and cause difficulty focusing.

CHRONIC INSOMNIA DESTROYS SKIN HEALTH

Most of us have witnessed the adverse cosmetic impact on the face caused by just one night of sleep deprivation. 

A person may look a decade older in response to stress-induced changes that often accompany insomnia. 

To maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin, you should get at least 7 to 8 hours of restful sleep each night.  

In addition to inducing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, sleep deprivation can worsen allergies.  

Collagen, one of the skin’s primary components, plays a key role in the structure and a youthful appearance.  Poor sleep can also effect the process of the skin’s collagen formation. 

SEEING RED? CALMING THE REDNESS OF ROSACEA! WHAT IS ROSACEA & WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

What is it? Mild symptoms include a persistent flush or blush, while more severe cases may result in acne or bumps and broken blood vessels.

1. Find Your Triggers  Classic ones include sun exposure, wind, heat, alcohol, stress and spicy food.  These cause the blood vessels to dilate, causing a rosy flush.  
2. Gently Cleanse  Wash once  day (twice for oily skin) with gentle non-soap cleanser. Cream washes are good for dry skin and gels work for oily complexions.  Avoid irritants such as alcohol, glycolic acid, isopropyl palmitate, propylene glycol, menthol, peppermint and eucalyptus oil.  When cleansing, use your fingertips – not a washcloth or sponge – rubbing can be irritating.  
3. Exfoliate  For mild rosacea, a product with beta-hydroxy acids may help smooth the roughness the condition can cause.  
4. Hydrate  About half of all rosacea people experience dry skin, so after cleansing, use a moisturizer, which forms a barrier against environmental assaults that can lead to itching, stinging and flare-ups. 

Is DRY SKIN a problem for you?

Is your skin parched from months of cold weather, wind and dry indoor heating?  Air humidity doesn’t kick in until summertime, so you really need to moisturize day and night in the Spring.  BONUS:  hydrated skin will show fewer fine lines and wrinkles.  

 

What to do

Opt for moisturizers with glycerin, aloe and hyauronic acid, which draw moisture to the skin and plump lines and emollients such as shea butter to seal in hydration.  Extremely dry skin is prone to inflammation and irritation, so treat it with a soothing, moisturizing mask once or twice a week (after washing and before applying night cream). 

In the daytime, wear a moisturizer with a sunscreen.  Daily sun protection is the best anti-aging investment you can make to prevent age spots, wrinkles and sagging skin.